China’s Long-Anticipated Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) Officially Takes Effect

As the new year begins, China's new overarching cosmetic regulation - Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation (CSAR) officially took effect, replacing the outdated Cosmetics Hygiene Supervision Regulations (CHSR), which was first introduced over 30 years ago.

Highlights of the CSAR

The long-awaited new regulation indicates precise management targeting all links in the supply chain and product lifecycle of cosmetics ingredients and finished products, such as the production, distribution, sale, operation, and post-market supervision. It will completely revolutionize the way cosmetics are managed in China in order to re-align the regulatory regime with the current industry practices and global trends.

Below are six of the most fundamental changes compared with the previous regulations:

1. Product classification: Cosmetics are supervised as special and general cosmetics. The category of special cosmetics is reduced to 5+1 types (hair dyes, hair perming, freckle-removing and whitening, sunscreens, anti-hair loss, and cosmetics claiming a new functional property).

2. New ingredient management: cosmetic ingredients are now subject to classified management based on their inherent risk level. High-risk ingredients such as preservatives, sunscreens, colorants, hair dyes, and whitening agents will require registration with the National Medical Products Administration and be subject to strict supervision. In contrast, low-risk ingredients are available for use only after quick notifications.

3. New responsibility subjects: CSAR clarifies that cosmetic registrants and notifiers shall be responsible for cosmetics quality, safety, and efficacy claims.

4. Toothpaste and soap management: Toothpaste is not included in the definition of cosmetics but shall still be managed with reference to the provisions on general cosmetics. CSAR does not apply to soaps, excluding those claimed to have special cosmetics efficacy.

5. Online cosmetic supervision: E-commerce platforms and beauty hairdressing institutions are also supervised for compliance with CSAR.

6. Accountability system: Punishments for violations are much more stringent and are further refined, which includes the warning, confiscation, fines, order to suspend production and operation, revocation of licenses, the prohibition in engaging in the industry, etc. Moreover, CSAR shifts the supervision burden of responsibility towards cosmetic enterprises, greatly enhances post-market supervision, and imposes tougher penalties on violators.
   

To ensure a smooth transition to the new regulatory era, China NMPA introduced some transitional measures to implement the CSAR on 28 December 2020.

CSAR Subsidiary Regulations

Besides, along with the CSAR issuance, a series of subsidiary rules, standards and guidance documents are scheduled to be released to overhaul China’s cosmetic regulatory framework and exercise comprehensive supervision on the market. These sub-regulations will address issues revolving around cosmetics labeling, efficacy claim evaluation, registration and notification dossiers standard, GMP, toothpaste, etc.

Up to now, 13 regulations such as Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Registration and Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling are in the process of public consultation, and more regulations are expected to be issued. Here are the administrative rules that have been published so far.

Related Resources

In order to stay fully up-to-date with the changes and the ongoing announcements around CSAR and its sub-regulations, remember to bookmark and tune in to ChemLinkeds' comprehensive and detailed CSAR homepage.

[Featured Page]

Catch the Significant Moments: China Cosmetic Regulatory Reform Tracking

[News]

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3. China Relaxes Animal Testing Alternatives Use Conditions for New Cosmetic Ingredients

4. Draft Regulations on Cosmetic Adverse Reaction Monitoring Unveiled

5. China Clarifies the Requirements for Cosmetics GMP

6. China to Implement a Cosmetic Sampling Inspection Scheme

7. China Consults on the Draft Administrative Measures on Cosmetics Labeling

8. China Amends Requirements for Cosmetic Efficacy Claim Evaluation

9. China Consults on the Draft Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment

10. China Releases the Draft Cosmetic Classification Rules and Catalog

11. China Consults on the Draft Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Registration

12. China Cosmetics Manufacture and Operation Supervision and Management Measures Unveiled

13. China Finalises the Long-Awaited Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation

[Free Webinar Series]

• CSAR Series: Deciphering Dossiers Requirements for Cosmetic Registration and Notification

• CSAR Series: Understanding Dossiers Requirements for New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Notification

• CSAR Exclusive Interview: Animal Testing, New Ingredients and What Next?

• Understanding China's New Draft Subsidiary Measures of CSAR

• Interpretation of China's Cosmetic Supervision and Administration Regulation

[English Translations]

• Instructions for Cosmetic Registration and Notification Dossiers (Draft for Comments)

• Instructions for New Cosmetic Ingredient Registration and Notification Dossiers

• Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Registration

• Cosmetic Classification Rules and Catalog

• Technical Guidelines for Cosmetic Safety Assessment

• Administrative Measures on Cosmetic Labeling